I know that a lot of bar camps will card you, which makes sense. But I've heard some people talk about having copies of your ID attached to your cup, and other places refer to having your actual ID on you. Is it sufficient to just have a printed copy, or does it have to be an actual ID for people to legally accept it?

I carry a copy. Because I would never carry the original. I don't take anything to Burning Man that would cost me significant money, time, or emotional effort to replace. Valuables stay locked in the car. If a bar decides to turn you away for having a copy, walk seven feet to the next bar.

Pro tip: Make a color copy of your ID, seal it in scotch tape, and tape it to your cup. In fact, make two - put one in your adventure bag, and one on your cup.

Token wrote:It is completely up to the proprietor as to what they choose is acceptable, but it sure ain't "legally" anything.

I wouldn't say I'm worried about it, but I was assuming the reason camps card people is because they're legally liable if they don't. Otherwise, why bother?

If they're under 21, your breaking the law.
It's up to you to set a standard. If a crappy laminated fake ID or note from their mother is enough to get a drink, so be it.
In my case, a decent photocopy of a DL would make me happy.
You'll only be sure of compliance when/if an LEO runs the ID.

The point is that if a proprietor checks a real ID, they are off the hook. If the ID is fake, the person carrying the "fake" ID get the ticket. A photocopy of an ID is by definition a fake ID.

If they check a copy, picture or mom's note and a LEO decides to be a dick (which never happens, trust me) doesn't matter that you had best intentions. A LEO can just write you the $1000+ ticket because s/he simply can.

So, either use a real ID or bring your own booze with you.

I always carried my real ID. It was a state ID, different than my drivers license, so could live fine if I lost it. Protected both me and the kind person pouring the cocktails.

Anyone carrying a copy of an ID think they are covering their and the proprietor's ass, but in reality only show disrespect for the folks gifting them drinks.

I have to agree with Tolken. With only 30 days till departure it's a little late to ask for a 2nd ID so secure yours to your pack and carry the original. If you look young I wouldn't offer you a drink. I also would hate to turn you away but in my mind you may be undercover.

Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
I a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChow
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
You should start doing drugs, it doesn't mess you up as much. CaptG

So now that I'm home and have the internets to give me legal advice, my opinion stands.
In "most states" It's up to you to require "reasonably realistic" proof of age. If you don't trust a photocopy, then don't trust it.

I'm glad I'm not a bar camp. If ticketed unfairly, it would still be costly to fight and maybe cheaper to just pay the fine.

In most states, a licensee is only held liable for selling to a minor without asking for any ID. If ID is asked for, and a fake ID indicating the minor is actually 21 is shown, then in almost all cases, no charges will be filed from either the police or from the alcohol control board. The one caveat is that the ID must appear to be reasonably realistic: if it says the minor is 100 years old, or is of a different sex or completely different appearance, then you will likely be held liable. But with the prevalence of extremely accurate looking forgeries on the black market, rarely will a bar or liquor store be held liable for accepting a fake ID. The same applies to actual IDs that don't belong to the minor (i.e. if he uses his older brother's real driver's license).

I bartend at one of my camps on-playa. If you look young we're going to card you, I don't care if you're in your 70s. If you are obviously over 21 we might not bother, but you better look way past legal. If you only have a photocopy, you're not getting served.

Note: I'm in my 50s, I carry my real ID on me. I have a pouch that has only that in it, that pouch only gets opened if I get carded. I haven't lost an ID out there yet.

It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist

I have a spare ID because I got a new ID when I moved, but they didn't collect or tell me to destroy the old one. Other than the address, it's exactly the same as my current ID (only info changed is the address, is not expired). I'd assume that's real enough to cart around the playa, I only (might) get in trouble if I provided it to a law officer as ID.

As a side note, my "real" ID also has an incorrect address, since I moved again...and they told me I couldn't request another updated license so soon. So I'd say that makes both IDs identical in terms of accurate information.

I have carried only a photocopy of my ID for every one of my seven burns. I have never been denied service when asked to produce it. If you are someone prone to losing things, don't take your real ID. If someone refuses to serve you, who cares? There are literally hundreds of bars. No on is being entrapped by your not carrying your ID around.

Funny aside:
Ok, dating myself here, but this was pre-internet. I had a 'fake' ID prepared and handed to me by a police officer. (To protect the innocent, he was near retirement, and is probably long dead by now.)
At the time, I had just finished first year of college, and i had a friend from NY who had legally changed her name after she ran away from home at age 16 (crazy mother had tried to have her exorcized...but I digress). We were in FL, and I took her 'old name' birth certificate and went to the DMV and got an official Florida State ID with my pic, but bearing her old name. I was 18, she was 21.
The officer handed me the completed ID, as I was shitting bricks. But...I used it for 2.5 yrs until giving it to my younger sisters to use (they both did thru college. )
I would never have the balls to do that today, but it was the best 'fake' I ever had.